EWC code for food waste
Food waste from a kitchen or canteen is coded 20 01 08. It is non-hazardous, so a waste transfer note covers it. With separate food collection now the law for most businesses, getting this stream right matters more than ever.
Biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste
What 20 01 08 covers
Code 20 01 08 is the separately collected food waste stream: kitchen and canteen scraps, preparation waste and plate scrapings from offices, cafes, restaurants, schools and care homes. It is non-hazardous, so a waste transfer note with a registered carrier is enough. It usually goes to anaerobic digestion or composting.
Separate collection is now the rule
Under Simpler Recycling in England, most workplaces must arrange a separate food waste collection rather than putting it in the general bin. Businesses with 10 or more employees came into scope on 31 March 2025, and the smallest firms follow by 31 March 2027. Mixing food into 20 03 01 general waste is no longer good enough for most premises.
The codes near it
- Market waste, such as spoiled fruit and veg from a market, is 20 03 02.
- Used cooking oil collected on its own is edible oil and fat, 20 01 25, and is valuable for recycling into biodiesel.
- Garden waste is 20 02 01, a separate biodegradable stream.
Tip: keep packaging out of the food caddy. Wrappers and containers contaminate the load and the receiving site may reject it or downgrade it to general waste.